Media Advisory: Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams, State Officials to Honor Law Enforcement & First Responders

NASHVILLE --- Gov. Bill Haslam’s Chief Operating Officer Greg Adams will join the Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security in honoring 28 law enforcement officers and first responders at this year’s First Responder Awards Ceremony held in the Old Supreme Court Chambers at the state capitol on Friday. The ceremony will celebrate those who have dedicated their lives for the safety and security of all Tennesseans. This event is also held in conjunction with National Preparedness Month.

WHO:   Greg Adams, Chief Operating Officer to Governor Bill Haslam

Bill Gibbons, Commissioner, Department of Safety & Homeland Security

Larry Godwin, Deputy Commissioner, Department of Safety & Homeland Security

David Purkey, Asst. Commissioner, Department of Safety & Homeland Security

Rick Shipkowski, Deputy Homeland Security Advisor

Colonel Tracy Trott, Tennessee Highway Patrol

Major General Terry M. Haston, Department of Military

James Bassham, Director, Tennessee Emergency Management Agency

Jeff Puckett, Deputy Director, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation

WHAT:  Tennessee First Responder Awards Ceremony

WHEN:  Friday, September 13, 2013

                  10 a.m. CDT

WHERE: Tennessee State Capitol

                   Old Supreme Court Chambers

                    600 Charlotte Avenue

                    Nashville, TN 37243      

Law enforcement officers and first responders actively promote emergency preparedness within their communities by creating policy and procedures, training staff and volunteers or responding directly to an emergency. A variety of first responders, including state and local police, firefighters, emergency medical personnel and emergency management officials work daily to ensure the safety and security of Tennessee.

The Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security’s (www.TN.Gov/safety) mission is to ensure that our state is a safe, secure place in which to live, work and travel; enforce the law with integrity; and provide customer-focused services professionally and efficiently.